Boarding with a disabled person

[Lancashire Lad 70]

My son his wife and 9 month old son are embarking on their first cruise on Iona with my son's mother in law who is disabled. She is bringing her own mobility scooter and has an accessible sea view cabin on Deck 4 They have organised parking with CPS but are unclear about boarding protocol or assistance with getting the mother in law on board. As she is disabled and they have a 9 month old child will they get any sort of priority boarding and who if anyone will help them navigate the boarding process 

[sandancer]

First of all, have they completed an accessibility form?  This is essential as the guest will not be allowed to board if not. There is a dedicated area where they have a list of everyone arriving who needs assistance. They allocate a “helper” to escort you onboard. This person then takes you the check in and then security. Once onboard they go with you to your emergency muster station. We only have a manual wheelchair so can’t comment on what happens with a mobility scooter but it can’t be much different. Can’t praise them enough for the service they provide. 

[Lancashire Lad 70]

With thanks They will be completing the accessibility form ASAP so am grateful for this prompt response However

 

(i) do they get priority boarding or do they have to wait until the allocated time 

 

(ii) does this apply to just the disabled person, the whole of the party travelling together or the nominated carer 

[TigerB]

As sandancer writes, it is vitally important that the questionnaire is completed. These days you can find it on the online Cruise Planner.

 

As for boarding, you don't get any priority boarding; you still have to stick to your allotted arrival time.

As they are in separate cabins they first of all need to make sure the bookings are linked. Mind you, as we have found previously, they might not get the same arrival time. If that is the case, I would advise on arriving at the earliest time, whoever has that. After all, they are travelling together and her daughter or son-in-law will be helping with assistance.

 

CPS is a breeze. Make sure the blue badge is visible on the dashboard; the attendant who first greets them will ask if they have a wheelchair or scooter, and will direct them to the appropriate lane. When they park under the canopy they are then greeted by someone else who will confirm the booking details and take photographs. That same person will give them a blue hanging card to hang from the rear view mirror; that indicates to their drivers that it needs to be parked in the disabled area for their return. The blue badge is no longer required. If the attendant hasn't called a porter, they should ask them to do so. The porter will take all their checked luggage away, leaving them to deal with your son's mother-in-law.

When they cross the road to the terminal they need to keep left, and together.  That will mean they are sent directly into the building instead of joining the snaking queue to the right. At the doors they should be asked if they require assistance. If they do then they may have to wait downstairs for an attendant. If she has a mobility scooter I would be inclined to say that no further assistance is required. They will then be directed to the lift.

When they get out of the lift on the first floor, they turn to their immediate left and join a queue to check in at the assistance desk. At the first desk they just tick her name off their list, and may ask again if she needs any further assistance. At the second desk, the proper booking in process happens, for all of the party. For us, this whole process, after leaving the lift have taken as little as ten minutes; today it was half an hour.

They will then be directed to security; again, sent to the most convenient entrance for them.

Then... all aboard me hearties.

 

The most important thing is that they stay together all the time and, if challenged, be clear that they both offer assistance to her.

 

[sandancer]

(I). We travel by coach and we just go straight to the assistance team regardless of our booked arrival time. 
(I). We travel as a couple and we are kept together. I would think the party will stay together but can’t confirm that for sure. 
 

As MIL has an adapted cabin I assume know P&O know they are travelling with a mobility scooter. On our last cruise one lady was refused boarding as she had not let them know in advance. They are becoming very strict about this.

[Cpt Pugwash]

Another bit of advice if everyone else in the party can make the walk to the ship tell reception your going to self embark then you can leave earlier, just remember if you decide to do NOT put your cases out the night before.

P.S if it's G417 your on i'm on Deck 4 as well and have hired a Mobility Scooter to use onboard so if your wife wants i'll race her sometime.